A typically dapper-looking member of the Texas state Senate, who often wears double-breasted suits, reimbursed his campaign after an ethics watchdog raised questions about Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay spending nearly $8,000 on clothing from political contributions.

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay

Officeholders cannot use campaign money to buy clothing that can be used for general purpose occasions, according to a 2009 ruling by the Texas Ethics Commission.

Dave Palmer, who runs the Folsom, Calif.-based “Ethics Watchdawg,” filed a complaint against Fraser with the Travis County district attorney for allegedly violating Texas election law codes.

Palmer’s complaint alleges Fraser improperly spent campaign money on personal items and that he failed to disclose his lease liability for housing and luxury autos on his financial statements.

Fraser dipped into his campaign account to buy $3,652.36 worth of clothing at the Texas Clothier in 2007 and spent an additional $4,168.49 at the Texas Clothier for suits to wear during the 2011 legislative session, according to the complaint.

“An officeholder may only use political funds to purchase clothing that is not adaptable to general usage as ordinary clothing. Suits, shirts and ties are adaptable to general usage as ordinary clothing. Thus, the purchase and shipping of such items with political funds is a personal use. Therefore, there is credible evidence of violations of section 253.0325 (a) of the Election Code with regard to these three expenditures,”the Ethics Commission said in a 2009 ruling against a state district judge in Edinburg.

Palmer filed a complaint against the judge for spending campaign money on clothing.

“There’s no such thing as a campaign suit or a legislative suit,” Palmer said. “That’s so clear cut as to be drop-dead.”

Fraser contends he only used the clothing for his duties as a legislator but reimbursed his campaign this week.

”The clothing I purchased was strictly for legislative use and was not converted to personal use. However, I have reimbursed the campaign from personal funds for these suits to ensure that no further questions remain,” Fraser said in a written statement.

”The apartment lease is reflected on my campaign finance report. I was not aware that the obligation was not also listed on my Personal Financial Statement. After speaking to legal counsel, I have amended my filed reports this morning to reflect this liability.” Fraser said in the statement.

Palmer contends Fraser’s reimbursement “doesn’t negate the fact that he violated the law by filing false financial statements. By making a press release he is merely admitting he violated the law. Alleged ignorance of the law isn’t a valid defense,” Palmer said.

Gregg Cox, director of the special prosecutions division in the Travis County district attorney office, acknowledged getting the complaint last week.

Cox could not say whether Fraser’s campaign reimbursement for clothing and his amended personal finance statements will clear the veteran senator of any sanctions.

“And we were informed of the reimbursement and the corrected reports yesterday. At this point the matter is under review. Until the review is complete, we will have no further comment,” Cox said in a statement.

Palmer also filed a copy of the complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission. Palmer, a disabled Army veteran, has filed numerous ethics complaints against lawmakers in multiple states. His frequent complaints against Texas legislators influenced a change in state law. The Ethics Commission now can only accept a complaint if it is filed by a resident of Texas or someone who owns property in the state.

Palmer said he spends much of his retirement time looking at campaign finance and expense reports in an effort to expose political hypocrisy. Politicians should comply with minimum standards, he said.

“It’s the law. If you don’t want to comply with the law, then change the law,” Palmer said.

Gary Scharrer

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[...] session, he said, adding that he rarely wears suits unless he’s in the Capitol. In 2011, he reimbursed his campaign for the suits after an ethics watchdog filed a complaint against him. Fraser said he still disagrees with the [...]

[...] session, he said, adding that he rarely wears suits unless he’s in the Capitol. In 2011, he reimbursed his campaign for the suits after an ethics watchdog filed a complaint against him. Fraser said he still disagrees with the [...]